Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Thoughts turn to Texas, Taxes and Final Four

Many of my friends in the business are busy this week in Round Top Texas. I would love to be there as we usually go, but you flip the e and a in Texas, it spells taxes. I am stuck in front of a stack of excel spreadsheets instead of enjoying the great Spring Texas weather, the bluebonnets and some great food. Hopefully some friends will shoot photos and get back to me as to how the shows are going. Busy working on advertising and marketing for upcoming Springfield and Farmington shows.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

It's the weather.

Just got back from Springfield yesterday. It was an illustration of what good weather can do to an early spring show. Great crowd, great weather and our best March Springfield show in a few years. As much as we like to analyze marketing/advertising and sales, it simply comes down to the type of day that people want to get out and do something after a long winter. Let's hope the good weather keeps up this show season.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Thoughts turning to Spring

As we have seen our first glimpes of warmer weather in the middle part of the country recently, it's time to come out of our winter cocoons and think about the upcoming outdoor show season. Come see us this weekend in Springfield.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Why Antiques Part 3- they're personal

Why Antiques Part 3- They’re personal
In part three of our Why Antiques series, we are going to talk about the personal nature of antiques. In an increasingly impersonal world, the unique factor about antiques is that they are unique and personal. The decision to buy an antique is one of the few decisions that we can make as a true individual. That particular piece is either completely unique or in some cases unique compared to mass produced stuff. You have been drawn to an object and the decision to buy is yours. You have not been told to buy it by a multi-million dollar marketing campaign. The decision whether or not to buy it simply comes down to your personal decision. Would you like to buy it? Would it work in your home/life? Does it fit in your budget? If you don’t buy it, can you find another one? Do you want to add an object to your home/life that contains both style and value?

Unlike most of the other stuff we buy today, antiques are unique in the fact they come with built in memories. As I look at the antiques in my home, almost every object has the story of the acquisition built into my memory. The grain painted jelly cupboard bought at Springfield from a friend, the Moorcroft piece that was a gift when Graham was born and the fireplace screen bought at an auction are more than simply objects. They will always have those personal memories attached. I happen to think that in today’s world that is not such a bad thing. Maybe it is remembering who we bought them from or a funny story. I know that I don’t have any such attachment to that barrel from Crate and Barrel. Have you noticed their barrel selection is pretty lame?